WSU Clark County Extension
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Silver and Gold Dogwood

Scientific name: Cornus sericea 'Silver and Gold'
Taxonomy
Family:Cornaceae
Type:Deciduous shrubs
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:3 to 8
Sun:Partial shade
Moisture:Wet
Plant Characteristics
Height:6 ft
Width:8 ft
Bloom:Summer flowers
Bloom Time:May to June
Bloom Color:White
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description The dogwood cultivar known as Silver and Gold is a yellow-twig variant that is primarily grown for its bold variegated foliage and its yellow winter stems.

  Morphology:
This deciduous shrub grows to 5’-7’ in height and 6’ to 8’ in width. It spreads by root suckers to form a thicket of stems and is often planted in multiples to form a hedge.

It bears 2”-4" long ovate to lanceolate shaped leaves which have irregular creamy white margins and green centers. In the fall the leaves turn yellow before they are shed for the winter. Stems turn bright yellow in winter and are particularly showy against a snowy backdrop.

Flowering begins in May and extends into June and sporadically during the summer. Flowers are arranged as corymbs which are 1” across.

Flowers give way to clusters of whitish (sometimes with a bluish tinge) drupes in late summer. Song birds find the berries especially tasty during the winter when food supplies are scarce.

  Adaptation:
This shrub does very well in rich, organic sites, even those that are wet and soggy. It can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. Watershed managers will find the root suckering an advantage when they need a plant that is good for erosion control. Pruning of the older stems will help encourage the growth of new root suckers.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234